Carl Granderson Bio
Carl Allen Granderson is an American professional football defensive end for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). Born on December 18, 1996, in Sacramento, California, he played college football for the Wyoming Cowboys before being signed by the Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2019. Standing 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) and listed at 261 lb (118 kg), Granderson has developed into a reliable edge rusher, accumulating 34.5 career sacks through the 2025 season. Despite facing legal challenges early in his career, he has established himself as a productive player in the league, contributing significantly to his team’s defense.
Early Life and Background
Carl Allen Granderson was born on December 18, 1996, in Sacramento, California. He grew up in the Sacramento area and attended Grant Union High School, where he developed into a promising football prospect. His size and athleticism allowed him to play multiple positions along the defensive line during his high school years.
At Grant Union, Granderson earned recognition as a talented edge rusher, drawing attention from college recruiters. His physical tools, including his height and frame, made him an attractive prospect for programs looking to develop defensive ends at the next level. He ultimately committed to the University of Wyoming, where he continued his football career.
Path to American Football
Granderson enrolled at the University of Wyoming in 2015 and played for the Wyoming Cowboys from 2015 through 2018. During his time with the Cowboys, he transitioned into a full-time pass rusher, developing the technique and strength needed to compete at a high level. His growth as a player earned him conference recognition in his final two seasons.
In 2017, Granderson was named First-team All-Mountain West Conference (MWC), establishing himself as one of the top defensive ends in the conference. He followed that performance with a Second-team All-MWC selection in 2018, capping his college career with strong back-to-back honors. Despite these achievements, he went unselected in the 2019 NFL Draft, but his college production and physical traits made him an attractive undrafted free agent prospect.
Carl Granderson Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Granderson signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent following the 2019 NFL draft on May 10, 2019. He received a $15,000 signing bonus and a base salary guarantee of $70,000. His rookie season was complicated by legal matters, as he was placed on the reserve/did not report list on July 18 while serving a prison sentence. He was reinstated from the list and given a roster exemption on August 31, after his release from jail, and was placed on the active roster on September 16.
Despite the difficult start to his professional career, Granderson gradually earned more playing time in New Orleans. He worked his way into the defensive rotation and began showing the pass-rushing ability that had made him a productive college player. His development continued through the 2020 and 2021 seasons, as he became a consistent contributor along the Saints’ defensive line.
New Orleans Saints Breakthrough (2022–2023)
On March 10, 2022, Granderson signed a two-year contract extension with the Saints, signaling the organization’s confidence in his continued growth. That season, he played in 16 games with four starts, recording 53 tackles and 5.5 sacks, which ranked fourth on the team. His production demonstrated that he had developed into a full-time contributor and a reliable edge presence.
On September 23, 2023, Granderson signed a four-year, $52 million contract extension with the Saints, a significant commitment that reflected his emergence as a key piece of the defense. The deal underscored how far he had come from his undrafted free agent beginnings and cemented his role as a starter along the New Orleans defensive front. He continued to produce at a high level, providing consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
New Orleans Saints Era (2025–Present)
In 2025, Granderson transitioned from a full-time starter into a rotational role for New Orleans. He appeared in all 17 of the team’s games, including six starts, recording four pass deflections, six sacks, and 57 combined tackles. His versatility and consistency allowed the Saints to use him in a variety of situations along the defensive line.
A career milestone came in the Saints’ season finale against the Atlanta Falcons, when Granderson recorded his first career interception on a Kirk Cousins pass intended for Kyle Pitts. The play highlighted his awareness and athleticism, adding another dimension to his game beyond rushing the passer. Through the 2025 season, he has totaled 299 career tackles, 34.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 10 pass deflections, and 1 interception.
Driving Style and Strengths
Granderson’s game is built on his combination of size, length, and motor. At 6 ft 5 in, he uses his frame effectively to set the edge against the run while still possessing the quickness to bend and rush the passer. His continued production, including 6 sacks in 2025 even in a rotational capacity, demonstrates his ability to disrupt opposing offenses. He has developed into a reliable contributor who can be deployed in various defensive packages.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Granderson’s career came on September 23, 2023, when he signed a four-year, $52 million contract extension, a remarkable ascent for an undrafted free agent. His first career interception against the Atlanta Falcons in the 2025 season finale stands as another memorable milestone, showcasing his development into a well-rounded defensive player. Reaching 34.5 career sacks also marks him as one of the most productive pass rushers of his draft class.
Carl Granderson Career Wins
Carl Granderson’s professional success is measured primarily through his statistical production and his contract achievements rather than traditional win totals. Since joining the New Orleans Saints in 2019, he has been a consistent contributor along the defensive line, earning two significant contract extensions that reflect his value to the organization.
New Orleans Saints Highlights
Through the 2025 season, Granderson has appeared in games consistently for the Saints, totaling 299 career tackles and 34.5 sacks. His 2022 campaign, in which he recorded 5.5 sacks, marked his emergence as a full-time contributor, and he followed that with continued production in subsequent seasons. His most recent statistical highlight came in 2025, when he posted 6 sacks and 57 combined tackles in a rotational role.
Other Wins & Performances
In college, Granderson earned First-team All-MWC honors in 2017 and Second-team All-MWC recognition in 2018, establishing himself as one of the top defensive ends in the Mountain West Conference. These achievements helped him earn an opportunity in the NFL, even as an undrafted free agent, and laid the foundation for his professional career.
Carl Granderson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Carl Granderson’s family background is limited. He was raised in the Sacramento, California area and attended Grant Union High School, where he developed into a football prospect. Details about his parents and any family members involved in athletics are not widely documented in available sources.
Personal Life
Granderson was sentenced to six months in prison on July 11, 2019, after pleading no contest to sexual battery and unlawful contact from an incident in 2018 involving two women. After 43 days in jail, on August 26, a judge suspended his jail sentence and sentenced him to one year of supervised probation instead. Information regarding his marital status, spouse, and children is not publicly available in verified sources.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a transition year for Carl Granderson, as he moved from a full-time starter into a rotational role along the New Orleans Saints’ defensive line. Despite the change in usage, he remained productive, appearing in all 17 games with six starts and finishing the year with 57 combined tackles, 6 sacks, and 4 pass deflections. His ability to contribute across multiple game situations demonstrated his value to the Saints’ defensive scheme.
A standout moment came in the season finale against the Atlanta Falcons, when Granderson recorded his first career interception, picking off a Kirk Cousins pass intended for Kyle Pitts. The play served as a milestone in a season that showcased his versatility and football intelligence. With his contract extension running through 2027, Granderson remains a key part of the Saints’ defensive plans heading into the future.
